Business

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Carl Zapora   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008 Local coalition create new resource for the jobless By Yoshiaki Nohara Herald Writer EVERETT -- As more people lose their jobs in a tough economy, a coalition of private and public agencies has developed a Web site to make it easier for Snohomish County residents to deal with unemployment. A new Web page, www.helpforhardtimes.org, aims to help the unemployed find resources they need as quickly as possible. About 60 people on Wednesday gathered at Everett Station to launch the program. "We want people out of a job to know there's one place you can go to," said Carl Zapora, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Snohomish County. The Web page, the first of its kind in the county, has links to various resources such as unemployment benefits, food assistance, job training and credit counseling. Companies and agencies including The Boeing Co. and United Way have pitched in $13,000 to get the program going, said Deborah Squires, a spokeswoman for United Way. "We really have to work together in these challenging times," Zapora said. In September, 19,650 people were unemployed in Snohomish County, said Donna Thompson, regional economist for the state's Employment Security Department. The county's unemployment rate in September was 5.2 percent, up from 5 percent in August. The economy is expected to remain tough into next year, Thompson said. "I think we are going to have to see a turnaround in the housing market," she said. Many people who are laid off may have few clues about what they need to do, said Captain Dana Libby of the Salvation Army in Everett. The new Web site is expected to simplify things for them. "If they do something, they feel more empowered," Libby said. Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Emory’s owner fears fire was arson 2. Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme Court 3. Vatican ponders the souls in space 4. 81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored in Snohomish 5. Hope dims that Olympics will boost region 6. Student hit in crosswalk to return 7. Smokey Point to celebrate end of roadwork 8. Death on Edmonds waterfront ruled a suicide 9. Help for young moms may continue 10. Semifinal slate sealed on ‘Dancing With Stars’ 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Bazaar Fever • Hawks proud of historic season • Olson always put Edmonds first • Honoring student veterans • ‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop • Mavs build early lead en route to easy win • Prep football games of the week (state playoffs) • Tears of laughter, tears of grief • Death on Edmonds beach likely a suicide • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million